Carrying case



Sept. 3, 1957 E. E. MUHS ETAL CARRYING CASE 5 Shets-Sheet 1 Filejd Oct. l. 1954 ...f/4 W f INVENTORS 0a/42a i. Mw.;

Sept. 3, 1957 E. E. M uHs ETAL CARRYING CASE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. l. 1954 INVENTOR5 Sept. 3, 1957 E- E. MUHS ETAL CARRYING CASE SSheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. l. 1954 1NVENTOR5 :www i, Maf/5 #n i/v z. Maf/5 nited States Patent CARRYING CASE Edward E. Muhs and Helen K. Muhs, Berkeley, Calif. Application October 1, 1954, Serial No. 459,813

4 Claims. .(Cl. 229-52) The invention relates to foldable `andcollapsible cartons of the type made of paper stock or similar expendable material and modiiied ltoprovide an integrally formed handle which may be erected for convenient'carryin'g about of the-container.

`An object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case of the character described which is adapted ifor inexpensive, mass production vfrom expendable materials which, although light in weight, are fabricated to yprovide a strong, tough, durable and attractive case of good load carrying capacity which will withstand consider'able abuse and frequent re-use over -a considerable life ispan. 'f Another object of the -present invention is toprovide -a 4carrying case of the character described which is 'fashioned with the vvarious interiitting and interlocking parts shaped and dimensioned for rapid yassembly into a rectangular container form in an easily understood and vrsimply executed, yet highly effective, manner so .as to provide a firm, strongly assembled and spillfproof -en closure.

A further object of the present invention .is to provide a carrying case of the character above whichmay be `initially folded in a flat, unassembled form for storage and-transportation and which may be quickly `andeasily erected into a rectangularshaped carton, either with conveniently arranged upstanding handles for carryingY about, lor 'with 'all of the exposed portions lying flattothe'lrec- '.tangularly related sides of the carton andinterlocked :for vshipping or mailing in its assembled container form.

rfhe invention has other objects and features `of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing,'will be set '-:forthl-in the following description of theipreferrediform of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings -accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itfis tto be understood, however, that variations in the show- .'ing `:made by vsaid drawings 'and :description -may -be adopted within the scope of the invention .fas=set forth in the claims.

Referring `to said drawings:

"Figure 1 is a plan View of a case constructed in\ac- -cordance with the present invention completely unfolded in its blanked out form.

j Figure 2 is a perspective 'View of the case in partially lfolde'd form.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary persnectivefvie'wof part of V"the case in further folded iform.

Figure 4-is Va fragmentary perspective view "ofvthe casein 'further folded form.

iFgure 5 is afragmentary perspective Vview foflthe case 'of -preferably as'ingle sheetfll), as yillustrated in Figure -'1,:fo`f any `suitable foldable Jmaterial such-.fas apasteboard, cardboard, corrugated paper board or other paper stock,

steels Patented fSep't. 3, 1957 'or of plastic or ianyother material Asuitable for the purpose. In the interestsoflow cost and toobtain a carrying-case-of aneexpendable'nature, the .paper -stock materials aremost satisfactory. The sheet is provided'with fold lines so that it may be folded up and assembled in a generally cubical-shape including substantially/'mutually perpendicular bottom, side, end and `top walls, w'ithone side and end -wall having astapled seam -1\1,- as s'ee'n in 'Figure 12. The bottom Aw'all'is formed by-a plurality ofcontiguous flaps 12, 13, 14 and 1 5 connected by fold 4lines 17, 518, 179 and -20 tothe opposite sidefwalls.22,23,` and the opposite end iwalls 24 and 25. These aps' L12-15 are vso 'fashioned -that they will-interlock when `foldedinwardly/.inthe followingsequence: Flap 12, then end aps Y13 AVand 15, and'iinall-y the other side ap 14, it being noted that the end flaps 13'and 15 are provided with tongues 27 and 28'which are insertableinto va chan- -nel 29 provided by ap 12'and are interlocked in such channel by a-tongue 31 provided by ap '1'4 which-also enters the channel 29 and is interlocked-therein. The form and construction of these bottom apsris old-in the -art and, while preferred for present purposes, vforms'no -43 Vand44-which are vfoldable on lines 37 .andr38fperpendicularly'outwardly vfrom-the i'rst portions l(see Figure 3) 'in planes substantially parallel to and-midway between-the side -walls`22 and 23. YThese latter portions 43 and 44 thus stand Vverect from the vtop uwall of the conta-incr andare-here formed-with registering openings 46 and 47 forfprovidingfhandgrips 48 and 49.

-The end walls 24 and 25 are likewise formedwith contiguous top ilaps 51-and 52 which -are joined bygfold lines 53 and l54 for swinging inwardly to complete nthe top of the case. In'accordance vwith the present construction these end 'flaps are formed with centrally arrangededge Yslots `S6 land -57 which are arranged'to slip 0ver--and A-to "receive therein-the erect handle portions '43 and 44 soas to Ypermit the'vfolding of the end-flaps'5-1 and 52 completely down and against-the outer surfaces ofthe top flap portions 41 and 42. In accordance-With the present invention, means 'is carriedby one or both of the handle portions A43 and 44 of the top flaps'for positioning in overlying Arelation to the end flaps 51 and^52 when the latter -are folded inwardly 'as described, so Vas to lock they endjtlapsand all of the other flaps and :their portions'in-positions above described. This last lnamed `means hereV consists of the-provision onthe handle ilap portions43 and 44'of longitudinalvends 61, 62, 63 and 64 which are joined to the portions 43 and 44 by fold lines 66,67,68 and 69, permittingswinging of the ends 61-'64 '-bak against-fthefouter sides of "the portions '43 and 44as illustrated atv l'the-left end of the handle Iportions in Figure 4; and the edge--slots '56-and 57 in "the end flaps are sufficiently Wideso as to slide over and receive Vthereinthe overfolded longitudinal ends 6l-64 constituting at such point four thicknesses or layers of material.

The base sides 71, 72, 73 and 74 ofthe endflaps `61*64 are cut out inthe blank (see Figure' 1) Vso Vasto 4lie Vin spaced relation `tofold'lines 37 yand38 by a distance sufficient to admit the thickness of therend. flaps 51 and 52 therebetween (-seelFigure-ll), wherebythe ends 6l-64 :maybe swungffrom their .-overfolded 1Iposition against the sides of the handle portions outwardly across as to lock the end tlaps down against the side flaps, asv

described. Preferably, the first top ilap portions 41 and 42 extend for the full length of the side walls 22 and 23 sov as to insure 'a complete and overlapping enclosure for .the case,whileV thefoutstanding handle portions 43 and ,44, may be and preferably are foreshortened longitudinally so as to extend over the central portion only of the top aps32 and` 33.V j

As another feature of the present invention, the handholes are `cut out in such a manner as to provide integral interlocking and reinforcing tongues which greatly irnprove the load carrying capacity and ease of carrying of the case. As will be bestseen in Figures l to 3, the gopening 47 4isformed by making a three-,sided cut through ,the ap portion 44 extending from the fold line 38 so that when the portion 44 `is folded perpendicularly from the portion 42, the material normally lying in the area 'inwardly and lthehandle portion 48 thereof folded upof the opening 47 will project from the fold line 38 coplanar tothe portion 42 in the form of an integral tongue 76 which vmay be positioned as illustrated in Figure 3 in underlying relation toy the opposed top flap portion 41 tol provide material strengthening of and support for ,the top Vwall construction of the case.

. The, other opening 46 is similarly formed by a threesided cut through the ap portion 43 with one line of the cut at the fold line 37 so as to deiine a tongue or `tab 77 integral with the flap portion 43 and which is joined thereto by a fold line 78 which permits the folding of the tab 77 perpendicularly to the handle portion 43 for extension through the opening 47, the tab being foldable `around the top edge 79 of the opening 47 and against the outer side of the handle portion 44 so as to provide a smooth, broadened and reinforced handgrip `for the case. Y

.Y In closingthe top of the case, the top ap 33 is first folded inwardly, and handle portion 44 folded upwardly from the ap portion 42. The opposite top flap 32 is then folded inwardly so as to position the base portion 41 thereof directly upon the tongue 76 of the portion 42. The tab 77 o f handle portion 43 is then inserted through the opposite opening 47 and against the top wall 79 thereof and in this position, cooperates with the tongue 76 to hold the two side ilaps in position. The longitudinal ends `6-t54 are then folded back against the louter sides of the handle portions 43 and 44 and the .end flaps swung inwardly and downwardlyY upon the outer sides of the side flap portions 4l and 42 with the edge slots 56 and 57 on the endrflaps passing over and receiving therein the over-folded longitudinal ends til-64, as illustrated at the left side of the `handle portions in Figure 4. When the end flaps have been completely folded down against the side aps, they will clear the base sides '7l-74 of the end portions 61-64 and the latter will then swing away from their overfolded positions and lock'the end flaps against raising.

As another feature of the present invention, all of the portions making up the top of the container may be conveniently and securely folded at and interlocked if desired for shipping or mailingror the like. Most simply,

the four top liaps are merely folded `one over the other to provide a flat top, after which the flaps may be taped or otherwise secured in closed position. Desirably, in such case, the two side flaps 32 and 33 are folded in'iirst, and `then the two end flaps 51 and 52 are folded in. A piece of tape run over the top between the ends medially of the side walls will secure the carton in closed position.

Where an interlock of the top flaps is desired in the closed, hat, shipping arrangement of the container, the parts may be folded as illustrated in Figures 5 and '.6 of the drawings` y The sequence of folding in Vsuch case is as follows: Flap 33 is rst folded inwardly so that both portions 42 and 44 thereof lie horizontally across the top ofthe carton. The opposite side flap 32 is then folded wardly, as illustrated in Figure 5. The longitudinal ends 61 and 62 of the handle part 43 are folded back against the handle portion so as to permit the folding inward of the end flaps 51 and 52, the edge slots 56 and 57 clearing and passing over the overfolded longitudinal ends 61 and 62, as above described. When the end flaps 51 and 52 have been folded inwardly against the outer sides of the top flap, the handle portion 48 may be folded down iiat, as illustrated in Figure 6, thereby interlocking all of .the top ap portions. .Stapling or otherwise fastening the handle portion 48 will securely lock all of the parts in closed position, or if desired, a strip of tape Si may be run over the top for this purpose.

Another alternate flat-top folded and interlocked position is provided by the parts when folded in outside-in manner, wherein neither staples nor tape is required to hold the various aps in securely locked position during shipping, transporting, storage,'or other handling. .This is made possible due to the symmetry of the parts and is achieved by ,the following sequential folding of the parts: End apsSl and 52 are first folded completely iuwardly and against the end walls 24 and 2S. Outer handle portions 48 and 49 are turned inwardly upon theirfold lines 37. and 38 and the side flaps are swung in perpendicular to the sides, with the tongue 76 projecting horizontally through Ythev opening .46. In such position the handle portions 48and 49 lie in side-by-side relation, depending perpendicularlyfrom the top wall in parallel planes midwaybetween the Aside walls. r[he longitudinal ends 61--64 may then be folded back onto the sidesof the handle portions and the Vend flaps swung upwardly against the under sides of the inturned side flapswith Y ythe edge slots on the .end flaps receiving and passing over the overfolded ends 61-64 in the same manner as above described, thus locking the parts with the handle portions turned inwardly from the top, and with the outer exposed side of the top perfectly smooth and at.

The case constructed as above described is trim, strong, spill-proof, and very light in weight for its load carrying capacity. For example, a case having dimensions of 18" x 6".x.l01/2", constructed of 20G-lb. test B-Flute corrugated paper board, will easily support twenty-five pounds bulk load. Such a case is well adapted for many types of applications and uses, such as an overnight7 train ortravel case, especially inexpensive childrens luggage for campsor vacations, with handy mailing features; mailable laundry container; salesmans sample case, picnic hamper, beach or club bag, locker or general storage ease; and av general utility bag of manifold uses. Also, as will be understood, the arrangement of the fold lines -and the tough, durable, although inexpensive, quality of perpendicular bottom and side Vand end walls,'said side Y walls'y being formed with contiguous top flaps having top sections foldable inwardly perpendicularly to said side walls and' handle portions foldable perpendicularly outwardly from said top sections in substantially parallel 4planes substantially midway between said side walls and being formed to provide a hand grip, said handle .portions being formed with hinged ears at their longitudinal ends set off by fold lines extending perpendicular to 'said top sections and being severed-from said top sections for swinging of said ears back against ,the outer sides of said handle portion, said ,end walls being formed with contiguous 'top flapshaving freerends extending into over-` lapping relation with said handle portions and formed with slots opening to said ends dimensioned and positioned Vto slip! over and to receive therein said handle portions and theover-folded ears upon inward folding of said end flaps perpendicularly to said end walls so as to lie against said top sections and to close the top of said case, said ears being formed to overlie and to swing across the outer face of said end flaps in their last named position so as to lock said flaps in the positions described and said slots having their bases disposed adjacent said fold lines for said ears with the sides of said slots extending into keyed relation with said handle portions.

2. A carrying case comprising, substantially mutually perpendicular bottom and side and end walls, said side walls being formed with contiguous first and second top flaps having first and second top sections foldable inwardly from said side walls and first and second handle portions joined to said top sections along first and second longitudinal fold lines and being foldable outwardly therefrom in substantially parallel planes substantially midway between said side walls, said first handle portion being formed with a U-shaped cut having the ends of the U extending to said first fold line so as to define a hand hole in said first handle portion when bent outwardly from said first fold line and to provide a tongue integral with said first section and projecting from said first fold line to underlie and support said second section, said second handle portion being formed with a U-shaped cut with the base of the U extending to said second fold line to define a hand hole registrable with said first named hand hole to provide a hand grip and a tab extendable through and foldable `around the top edge of said first named hand hole to broaden and reinforce said hand grip, said handle portions being formed with hinged ears at their longitudinal ends set off by fold lines extending perpendicularly to said rst mentioned fold lines and being severed from said top sections for swinging of said ears back against the sides of said handle portions, said end walls being formed with contiguous top flaps foldable inwardly onto said top sections and having free ends overlapping said handle portions and being formed with slots opening to said ends dimensioned and positioned to slip over said handle portions and said ears folded back thereon, said ears being formed to overlie and lock down said end iiaps and said slots having their bases disposed adjacent said fold lines for said ears with the sides of said slots extending into keyed relation with said handle portions.

3. A top construction for a folding paperboard box comprising, side walls formed with contiguous top fiaps having top sections foldable inwardly from said side walls and handle portions joined to said top sections along first longitudinal fold lines and being foldable outwardly therefrom in parallel planes substantially midway between said side walls, said handle portions having registering hand grip openings defined in part by a U-shaped cut-out in one of said handle portions with the ends of the U extending to the fold line of such handle portions so as to form a tongue integral with the contiguous top section Iand projecting from its fold line in position to underlie and support the other of said top sections, said handleportions being formed with hinged ears at their longitudinal ends set off by second fold lines perpendicular to said rst fold lines and being severed from said rst portions for swinging of said ears back against the outer sides of said handle portions, and end Walls formed with contiguous and imperforate top aps having free ends extending into overlapping relation with said handle portions and being formed with centrally positioned edge slots opening to said ends and-dimensioned for slipping over said handle portions and said ears in swung back position with the bases of said slots disposed adjacent said second fold lines and with the sides of said slots extending into keyed relation with said handle portions, said ears being relieved at their bases to receive said end flaps thereunder and being hinged on said second fold lines to swing across the outer faces of said end flaps and to lock them in their keyed position wtih said handle portions and to cooperate with said tongue to support said top construction when under load.

4. A top construction for a folding paperboard box comprising, side walls formed with contiguous top flaps having first and second top sections foldable inwardly from said side walls and first and second handle portions joined to said first and second sections along first longitudinal fold lines and being foldable outwardly therefrom in parallel planes substantially midway between said side walls, said first handle portion being formed with a U- shaped cut having the ends of the U extending to said first fold line to define a hand hole in said rst handle portion and a tongue integral with said first section and projecting from said first fold line to underlie and support said second section, said second handle portion being formed with a U-shaped cut with the base of the U extending to said second fold line to define a hand hole registrable with saidifirst named hand hole and a second tongue foldable through said first hand hole to provide a hand grip,-said handle portions being formed with hinged ears at their longitudinal ends set off by fold lines extending perpendicular to said first mentioned fold lines and being severed from said top sections for swinging of said ears back against the outer sides of said handle portions, and end walls formed with contiguous and imperforate top flaps having free ends extending into overlapping relation with said handle portions and being formed with centrally positioned edge slots opening to said ends and dimensioned for slipping over said handle portions and said ears in swung back position with the bases of said slots disposed adjacent said second fold lines and with the sides of said slots extending into keyed relation with said handle portions, said ears being relieved at their bases to receive said end fiaps thereunder and being hinged on said Second fold lines to swing across the outer faces of said end fiaps and to lock them in their keyed position with said handle portions and to cooperate with said first tongue to support said top construction when under load.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,011,752 Cowlishaw Dec. 12, 1911 2,151,733 Bonfeld a- Mar. 28, 1939 2,269,013 Dorfman Ian. 6, 1942 2,306,343 Neubecker Dec. 22, 1942 Y FOREIGN PATENTS 102,025 Sweden July 8, 1941 254,423 Switzerland Dec. 16, 1948 

